In which language was the “Prayaga – Prashasti” composed by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The “Prayaga – Prashasti,” also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, was composed by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta, in Sanskrit. Here is a detailed explanation supporting why Option 4 is correct and why the other options are incorrect:

1. **Explanation for Option 4 (Sanskrit):**
   - The Prayaga – Prashasti is a classical example of ancient Indian inscriptions that were composed in Sanskrit, which was the scholarly and administrative language of the time. Sanskrit was widely used for royal inscriptions, religious texts, and literary works during the Gupta period, which is often referred to as the "Golden Age" of India due to its advancements in art, literature, and science.
   - Harishena, being a court poet, would have composed the inscription in Sanskrit to ensure it was understood by the educated elite and to maintain the grandeur and formality associated with royal proclamations. The use of Sanskrit also reflects the cultural and intellectual milieu of the Gupta Empire, which promoted Sanskrit as a unifying cultural language.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1 (Prakrit):**
     - Prakrit languages were commonly used in earlier periods, particularly in inscriptions of the Mauryan and early post-Mauryan periods. However, by the time of the Gupta Empire, Sanskrit had become the dominant language for official and literary purposes. While Prakrit was still used in some regions and contexts, it was not the language of choice for a grand royal inscription like the Prayaga – Prashasti.

- **Option 2 (Hindi):**
     - Hindi, as a distinct language, did not exist during the Gupta period. The development of Hindi as a language occurred much later, evolving from the Apabhramsha languages and dialects that followed the Prakrits. Therefore, it would not have been possible for the Prayaga – Prashasti to be composed in Hindi.

- **Option 3 (Pali):**
     - Pali was primarily used in the context of Buddhist scriptures and texts. It was not typically used for royal inscriptions, especially in the context of the Gupta Empire, which was predominantly Hindu and promoted Sanskrit for its cultural and administrative activities. The Prayaga – Prashasti, being a royal inscription, would not have been composed in Pali.

In conclusion, the Prayaga – Prashasti was composed in Sanskrit, which aligns with the linguistic and cultural practices of the Gupta Empire, making Option 4 the correct answer.